The association between cigarette smoking and sleep deprivation among adolescents in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: analysis of national surveys.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between sleep deprivation and cigarette smoking among adolescents in the "Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)" countries, accounting for relevant sociodemographic and behavioral factors.

METHODS

The present study was conducted between June and August 2024 using data from the most recent "Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS)" conducted in 5 GCC countries. The study included 21,105 adolescents aged 11-18 years. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association in each country. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize results across countries.

RESULTS

Overall, 17.9% of adolescents reported sleep deprivation. The pooled adjusted odds ratio for the association between cigarette smoking and sleep deprivation was 1.75 (95% CI: 1.56-1.96), indicating that adolescents who smoked cigarettes had 75% higher odds of experiencing sleep deprivation compared to non-smokers. This association was consistent across all 5 GCC countries, with low heterogeneity (I² = 18.1%).

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence of a significant positive association between sleep deprivation and cigarette smoking among adolescents in GCC countries. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive public health interventions promoting both smoking prevention and sleep health among adolescents in the region.